MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

POLICY Direct Care / Paraprofessional staff will be trained during New Hire Orientation and periodically thereafter, in First Aid/CPR techniques. The registered nurse, or other equally / advance qualified medical professional will further train staff in the handling of communicable diseases and infection control. These trainings will also include steps to take during medical emergencies. The client’s legally responsible person will provide signed authorizations and consents during or prior to intake giving permission for emergency medical treatment. See the Consent for Services Form in the Intake Packet.

Interpretation

Medical ID Tags may be required by clients who have medical conditions (diabetes, allergies, etc.) that could be life threatening if the condition is not immediately known by anyone who may provide First Aid/CPR or medical treatment. The program nurse will assist the legally responsible person in obtaining the Medical ID Tag or will obtain permission to obtain the tag for the client.

Included in the Medical Emergencies Training the staff will be taught the following steps, per First Aid/CPR procedures (this list is a random sampling and is not all inclusive or comprehensive):

1. Evaluate the scene to protect yourself and others from injury or danger.

2. Be calm and reassuring.

3. Do not move the person unless he or she is in imminent danger or unless you cannot provide assistance without     moving the person.

4. Get help. Call out for another staff/person or client to phone 911 or, if the person does not need immediate             assistance, make the call yourself.

5. If the situation is a choking emergency, perform the Heimlich maneuver, per the trained procedure, call for help     or have a staff person or client dial 911.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Feel for a pulse to determine if the heart is beating, per the trained                    procedures, call 911.

7. Control bleeding with direct pressure, per the trained procedures, call 911.

8. Treat for shock, per the trained First Aid/CPR procedures, call 911.

9. If the staff or client is unconscious, move him or her into the recovery position, per the trained procedures, call        911.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES WHEN TRANSPORTING CLIENTS

When transporting clients to the doctor or during medical emergencies the staff person is required to have the client’s pertinent medical information available to assist the medical staff. The client’s information is kept secure in a locked compartment. The Program Director is responsible for keeping client files updated and First Aid kits fully stocked.

If a medical emergency involves a staff person, the available staff or a client shall call 911, and then call the Program Director. The Program Director will make the Clinical Director aware of the situation and contact the person(s) listed on the Staff Emergency Information Form.

NOTIFICATIONS

Notify the Program Director as soon as possible during or immediately following control of the situation. If the Program Director is unavailable call the program’s Qualified Professional or Team Leader. The Program Director or the Qualified Professional/Team Leader will notify the client’s legally responsible person, the client’s Qualified Professional and the Clinical Director. Incident reports are required for all Medical Emergencies.

POISON CONTROL

The telephone number for Poison Control will be posted on the handset of all telephones in the offices. If poisoning of any kind is suspected the staff person should immediately call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.

Material Safety Data Sheets will be maintained in the office for any cleaning agent(s) used in the agency.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN Summary

(See Appendix F for Emergency Preparedness Plan Full Description)

Emergency Preparedness Plan for:                                                         (Branch Address)

1. Emergency Warning System to be used: 911

    Responsible person for activating Warning System: witness to emergency event or Qualified Professional, if present

2. In-office Evacuation Site: Front Waiting Area

Alternate Site(s)     1. Staff Break Area/Kitchen

                                    2. __________________________________________________________________

                                                        DO NOT USE ELEVATORS                                                             

3. Outside Evacuation Site (where everyone will meet): Front Parking Lot

4. Notification Plan: Program Director or his/her designee will notify all personnel by phone and electronic mail. Tune into local news and radio station for weather warnings.

• WSOC Channel 9 Eyewitness News

• 97.9 FM

        Responsible Person (s) to initiate notification: Program Director

5. Local Emergency Numbers: 

Police Department 911

Fire Department 911

6. Emergency Kit Location:        Office Supply Closet

            A. Includes these items:

1. First Aid Kit

2. Flashlight

3. Batteries

4. Radio

5. _______________________

6. _______________________

7. _______________________

8. _______________________

B. Responsible to maintain kit: Administrative Assistant

C. Responsible Person to secure kit in an emergency: Administrative Assistant

7. Emergency Food/Water Location: N/A

8. Special Staff Assignments:

                                                    Task:                                                                   Staff Assigned:

            Coordinating Transporting needs, if applicable                    Associate Professional(s)

           Coordinate Communication of Emergency Plan                     Administrative Assistant

9. Relocation Site and Evacuation route: (Call local Red Cross, Fire, or EMT service for safest route to shelter): N/A

CLIENT FEE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION PRACTICES

When The Ship Group Community Services client care services are provided to the client through contracts with the Area Program and EDS, The Ship Group Community Services Care will not directly charge the client or guardian for any services. If an Area Program becomes delinquent in payment, they may be reported to a collection agency. Treatment will be billed directly to Medicaid. Other insurances, at times, do require co-payments. Co-payments are the responsibility of the client. The client will be notified of the co-payment amount and will be due at the time of services rendered.

VOLUNTARY NON-COMPENSATED WORK

The Ship Group Community Services does not use voluntary non-compensated workers. Clients may be assigned to participate in routine activities that are consistent with their age and clinical status as a means of developing independent living skills.